STATE COAL FOR MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8392, 10 April 1907, Page 5

STATE COAL FOR MASTERTON.

DISCUSSION AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The question of obtaining supplies of State coal for Masterton occupied the'attention of the Borough Council, last evening. Mr John Mackay, who has been interesting himself in the matter for some time past wrote as .follows to the Council:—" I beg to advise you that I recently approached the Hon. Jas. McGowan, Minister for Mines, in reference to the . question of a supply of State coal for Masterton. Mr McGowan informed me that there was no reason why such a supply should not be availed of by the townspeople of Masterton, and expressed the opinion that distribution could best be arranged through the Masterton Borough Council. On behalf of the very large number of residents interested I should be glad to learn what view you take of the matter." The Deputy-Mayor, (Cr McEwen) said he thought it was about time the Council took into consideration the question of supplying Masterton with State coal. He thought the Council should have more information on the matter, and suggested that the Town Clerk should write to the Minister and ask him at what price coal could be delhered in Masterton, and other particulars concerning the sale of the coal.

Cr Hoar thought Mr Mackay could give the Council that information. Mr Mackay had madejithis business to ascertain all he could concerning the matter. Gr Pauling said the question was not a new one, as the Council had had it before them on a previous occasion. The Mayor and Town 'jlerk had approached the Minister for Mines on the subject, bet the information they had obtained was indefinite. He did not for one moment suggest that the Council should "throw cold water" on the subject, as it was of the greatest importance to Masterton. He asked what was the use of writing to the Minister when a deputation could not obtain' any definite information? Cr Ewington moved that a committee consisting of Crs Pauling, McEwen, Ewington, Temple, Elliott, and Mr Mackay, be appointed to go thoroughly into the matter ant! lay all the information they could before the Council. With regard to a site for a coal depot he considered that Bishop's Reserve, near the Railway Station, was, an excellent site. Mr Mackay, he said, was deserving of the Council's thanks for the energetic manner in which he had pushed the movement forward.

Cr Morris seconded the motion, and agreed that the appoint ment of a committee was the right course to adopt. When that committee submitted its report the feeling of the Council would be taken on the subject. The Council were, he considered, unanimous on the point that Masterton wanted State coal. The gasworks was at present "pestered" with applications for coal. Cr Eton said that they were all agreed that State coal was wanted, but it was no use bringing the coal to Masterton unless it could be sold at a cheap rate. It would be a difficult matter to obtain a suitable site for a depot. If the Council had to purchase a site it would then be a long time before the coal business would show a profit. The Deputy-Mayor put the motion to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously.